New S$2.5m scheme to raise service, safety standards for 4,000 taxi drivers
SINGAPORE — The Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability (e2i), together with National Taxi Association (NTA), today (Dec 15) announced a new S$2.52 million funding scheme to train taxi drivers.
SINGAPORE — The Devan Nair Institute for Employment and Employability (e2i), together with National Taxi Association (NTA), today (Dec 15) announced a new S$2.52 million funding scheme to train taxi drivers.
The scheme seeks to equip 4,000 taxi drivers, raise the service standards for the taxi industry and inculcate safe driving habits among drivers over the next two years, according to the joint press release. Various taxi operators were consulted and supportive of this initiative, it added.
The scheme involves working with taxi operators to implement a structured and continuous training roadmap so taxi drivers can be equipped in three aspects:
- Service excellence with enhanced communication skills and positive mindset
- Information and technology savviness through leveraging on electronic devices
- Safer driving
Taxi operators may receive up to 90 per cent course fees subsidy for courses that help their taxi drivers to improve service standards and reduce accident rates. To encourage drivers to attend training, the scheme also supports absentee payroll of up to S$7.50 per hour for each driver to defray part of their opportunity costs, according to the press release.
Said Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive Officer of e2i: “Taxi drivers spend long hours plying the roads, and it is imperative for them to be equipped with useful skill sets and know-how to deliver better service and drive safely. This new funding scheme provides an additional avenue for taxi operators to put in place structured and sustainable training programmes to up-skill their drivers.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA